House Bill No. 220, also known as the "PROTECT" Act, aims to enhance the reporting mechanisms for child exploitation on covered platforms in Louisiana. The bill establishes a new Chapter 20-B in Title 51 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, which includes definitions for key terms such as "covered platform," "online platform," and "report mechanism." It mandates that any covered platform allowing user-generated content must provide clear and conspicuous instructions for reporting suspected child sexual abuse material and other forms of child exploitation. The reporting mechanism must be easily accessible, clearly labeled, and allow users to submit reports without needing to register for an account.

The bill also outlines penalties for covered platforms that fail to comply with these reporting requirements. If a platform does not provide the necessary reporting mechanism, it may face civil penalties, which can be assessed by the attorney general through civil action in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court. The penalties can amount to up to five thousand dollars for each day of violation, with additional fines possible for repeated offenses. Furthermore, the attorney general is authorized to recover costs associated with investigations and proceedings related to violations of the law.